By electricity



(No Model.)

` 2 sheetssheen 1. E. E. RIES.

METHOD 0E WELDING BY ELECTRICITY. No. 386,088.

Patented July 10, 1888.

ITT

L w ET Q EE F5 XJENT EF1:

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. E. RIES.

METHOD 0E WELDING EY ELEGTEIGTTY.

No. 386,088. Patented July l0, 1888.

Tempe'rn ELIAS E. ETES, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNGB F @NE-HALE TOALBERT I-I. HENDERSON, 0F SAME PLACE.

SECIFICATON forming pari: OI Letters Patent. No. 386,039, dated Joly l0,1888.

Application filed March 14. 1888.

T0 a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, ELIAS E. Bins, a citizen of the United States,residing at Baltimore, in the Stato of Maryland, have inventedcertainnew and useful Improvements in Methods 0f folding Metals, and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescriptionof the iuvention,sueh as willonable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to to make and use the saine.

My invention relates toa new and improved method or process foreffecting welding of joints between pieces of metal in which the fusingor heating effect of both electric currents and oxygen gas is utilizedfor facilitating the fusion ot' the joint to bcforniod between themetals in contact.

I am aware that a process has heretofore been employed wherein thoheating agency of electricitg was used in welding metallicjoint However,in instances wher-cit is necessary to form welds or unions betweenmetals of very large crossseetion having a hardened or tensivestructure, l have found that an enormous quantity of cnrrent must beconverted into the secondary or welding circuit in order to readilyobtain the necessary degree of heat at thejoint to be welded.{lonsequently the cost ofinstallation and maintenance of an electricwelding-plant for welding joints between steel railro; d-rails, largeshafts, pipes, and thelike, would involve considerable expense andoutlay.

Ilherefora my invention has for its object to provide an adequate andefticicnt method of welding, whereby a joint may be formed between anytwo metals of large cross-section in an expeditious and effective aswell as an economical manner.

dritti this object in View niy invention cousists, essentially, in.first placing the metals in contact underslight pressure, second,passing heating electric currents through thc adjaA cent extremitiesofthe metals in contact,and, third, subjecting the joint whenincandescent to the fusing action of oxygen.

My invention consists, furtlicr,in combining with the aforesaid salientmethod other co-opcrating steps and features, all of which will beSerial No. 267,171?. (No model.)

clearly described hereinafter, and specifically pointed out in theappended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective viewshowing one inode of carrying out my invention. Fig. 2 is adiagraininatical representation of the welding-eircuits, theirconnections, and source of electricity. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical viewof a modified form of my invention. Figs. 4, 5, and G show severalmodifications of valves employed in conjunction with thc apparatus shownin Fig.

Like letters of reference niark similar parts in the several views ofthe drawings.

teferring to Fig. l, A represents a workbench provided with thewelding-clamps B B. The welding-clamps B B may be of any approved ornecessary construction, since they forni no component part of my presentinvention. However, for the sake of clearness, I will now proceed todescribe the construction and operation of the clamps B B. Each clamp Bcomprises two jaws, c and b, each ot' which latter is formed in twoportions@ and Lbinged together at the rea and provided with mutualrecesses to receive and hold the metals during tho welding process. rIheupper half, c, of cach clampjaw is provided with a laterallyprojectinglug, c, to which is hinged the bifurcatcd busp or eatchf, having theinsulating-handle g, and designed to engage and slip over thecorresponding lug, e', ofthe lower half, d. By means ofthe hasp lfandthelug c' the portions c d otl each jaw may be opened and fastened atwill. rIhejaw (L is dried in stationary position upon the table A., asshown, while the other jaw, I), is capable of a reciprocating` movementby means of the longitudinal screw h, which bears at one extremity in arecess (not shown) in the jaw c, and passes through an insulatedscrew-threaded longitudinal aperture in the jaw Y), and is journalednear its other extremity in the upright lug or bracket/ of the gnidingbed-plate C.

j designates a suitable hand-wheel for nianipulating the screw 71.

The under surface et' the jaw l) is provided with an undercut dovetailcdrecess, as shown clearly in Eig. l, which recess corresponds indimensions and shape to the contour and size of the bed-plate C, whichin turn is provided with inclined or chamfered sides 7c k.

The bedplate C is not in electrical contact with the jaw c, nor is thescrew h, the latter being insulated from both jaws a and bin anysuitable or approved manner. Thus it will be readily understood that themetals to be welded can be placed in their respective seats in the jawsa and b, the latter fastened by the hasp f, and the adjacent extremitiesof the metals put in contact under pressure by means ofthe reciprocatingjaw b and the screw h.

D designates a reservoir, of any approved construction, containingoxygen gas under pressure, and Zis a projecting nozzle having theregulatingvalve m and provided with a pipe-coupling, o1, whereby themain oxygensupply pipe E may be coupled and uncoupled at will.

o represents an ordinary safety-valve for the reservoir D, to precludethe possibility of any casualty or accident.

The supply-pipe E extends longitudinally underneath the workbench A, andis there supported in any convenient manner.

p designates a curved branch pipe communicating at one extremity withthe supplypipe E, and provided at its other extremity with two opencurved branches, pp, forming substantially a-C -shaped nozzle. Therespeetive openings of the branches p p bear at diametrically-oppositepoints upon thejoint q, so as to subject both sides of the latter tothejet of oxygen delivered from said branches.

The branch-pipe p is provided with a con. tlollingvalve, r, for turningon and oft' the jet of oxygen gas.

Instead of employing the form of nozzlejust described, numerous otherarrangements can be utilized for equally distributing the How of oxygenupon thejoint-such, for instance, as the form shown at q', Fig. l, whichconsists of a continuous ring having a requisite number of inwardly andradially projecting nozzles, q", surrounding the joint 1.

In practice it may be found desirable to have a iiexible connection withthe supplypipe E, so that the operator can direct the jet of oxygen toany desirable portion of thejoint. Therefore, to meet this requirement,I have shown in Fig. 3 a iiexible pipe, s, provided with the nozzle s'and thumb-valve.

It will be obvious that each controlling cock or valve r should belocated in convenient proximity to the operator, so that thelatter canexpeditiously control the flow of oxygen.

The meansjust described whereby the oxygen may be applied ad Zbtum tothe metals in contact is only one of various ways in which the samecould be effected. Therefore I do not confine myself to any particularapparatus or manner for conveying the oxygen to the welding-clamps,norto anyparticular arrangement for applying the oxygen to thejoint.

Referring now to Fig. 2, F designates a dynamo electric generator, ofany approved type, for the production in the main line of alternatingcurrents. G Gdesignate theterminals of dynamo F, and H H the outgoingand return conductors of the main-linehcircuit.

I is a circuit-controller for said main-line circuit.

J J J", respectively, designate three stations, each having auxiliarydevices, such as shown at J, Fig. 2. At each station J J J is located aninductional transformer, K, having its primary coils of tine wire andits secondary coils of coarser wire. From each transformer K itssecondary circuit K K extends to the welding-clamps, while thetermina-ls of its primary circuit are connected in multiple are with themain circuit by the branch conductors L L.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 each converter or inductional transformer KK consists of an annnlus or endless ring, preferably composed of sheetsor laminze of metal insulated from each other and suitably securedtogether, forming substantially a closed magnetic circuit.

The primary and secondary coils M M are disposed around the wholesurface of the iron core in alternate segmental sections, asshown. Theprimary coils M are of fine wire and are electrically connected witheach other in series, their two terminals being, as before stated, incircuit with the main line. In the spaces between the primary coils arewound the secondary coils M M', which are formed of coarse wire wound inmultiple are, as shown, their terminals being severally connected withthe segmental conductors N N, leading to the secondary circuit K K. Ihave shown and de.-V scribed this form of converter for the reason thatit is particularly adapted for electric welding purposes, inasmuch as agreater yieldv 0f current and more economical conversion are attained byits employment. However, since the style or construction of atransformer is not in any manner essential to my invention, I am atliberty to employ any one of the various forms of inductionaltransformers for the purpose.

At station J is shown the transformer K, having the terminals of itsprimary coils severally connected with the mai n-line circuit hy thebranches L L', and in the branch L is located a variable or adjustableresistanceswitch O, whereby the resistance of the primary circuit m y beregulated at will.

At station J is shown a somewhat differA cnt arrangement than the switchO. case the branch L is formed into a number of generating or cou nte relectromoti ve force coils wound in series, as shown, upon a soft-ironcore, and having a number of terminals, t t, arranged in the are of acircle. A switch-arm, P, is arranged to severally make contact with saidterminals, and thereby cutin more or less of the generating coils inorder to increase or diminish the counter electro-motive forcegenerated, and thereby regulate the current flow- In this l ICO jcctedto the niax`muin heating inc; to the transformer. rthe coils arepreterahly Wound npon a hobbin having;` a movable core, which latteracts as a polar regulator to vary the counterelectro-illotive torce setup ill the branch circuit L L ohtained.

At station 3 a snitrh, t), is interposed ill the branch circuit lill.tine set of terminals oi' the secondary coils Biff, however, instead ot`being connected to the segmental conductor N, similar to station J, arebroughtout to a series ol' switch terminals, a 1t, arranged in the arcot a circle, tl e other set of terminals ot' said secon( ary coilsheilig` connected to the conductor l which leads to the conductor li otthe secondary or Welding' circuit.

It designates a pivotcd quadrant'sllaped switch-arm haril the insulatedhandles fr, and arranged to bridge one or all the terminals `u n, so asto vary the quantity of current l in the second circuit. This switch armis i in circuit tl conductor 'l' through its t pivot, er.

rthe elcclriral connections, currentreferida4 tors, switches, elle.,iii-ay bc changed according to the rotpiiremonts ot illy system withoutdeparting,l trom the spirit ot' my invention The operation oi" myinvention will now be readily understood. rihe adjacent extremities ot'the illotals to he wel ded heiner placed in contact. as shown in l, thesecondary circuit li il" is closed hy means ot a current regulating andcontrolling' witch, such as shown at sl ation d". 2. thereby Igraduallypassing E and applyingy the induced alternating current t ot' the'neldingffircuit through the clamps'iaws fr, and i) to the ends nl" themetals in contact until the ends oi said metals are either suh- I'set ofthe tric currents, or are thus heated or partially-incandesccnt state rto rifradily raise the adjacent not-als to a t'usi enlperature, thecontrolling: wel: r ot the branch pipe p is di ieltly on, therebysubjecting the ends et" tho metal to the additional heating cli'ect ot'ort. a on which is etplally distributed over the nut g hy nozzlesp org.YWhen the coinnined nearing' agency ot' the welding- 1 circuit and thatot the oxygen gas is applied to the ends ot the metals in contact, suchends will almost imitantaneonsly assume a molten state, and the metalsbeing; under slight press urc,as hetero stateiflthe union ofjointbetween the adjacent ci `will he tornlcd nt the time the fusing;-A lt isreached.

tit' course it. will be understood that in some instances it inni* benceess y to regulate the lion' ot the o ren upon the metals, and also toregulate l comhined heating` effect ofthe two agen/elm7 (electriccurrents and oxygeln) according to the character and cross section ofthe metals to he welded together.

By snlijrctinf mctals-snch as iron orsteelto a jet oi' oxygen gas heatis developed in proportion the strength and quantity ot' oxygenadmillistered. and an oxide ot' iron formed upon the surface or" themetal.

secondary ed to a glowinf, lion', in ends ot' tl turn d is a Well-knownfact that the facility with which steel lllay he welded to steeldiminishes as the metal approximates to casltiron; or, in other Words,the facility in Welding' pieces ot' this metal apillroxinlates towrought-iron with respect to the absence o cal-hon.

lt is a theory that stoel exposed to the neeessary welding;v heat willhobnrned or partially oxidized. llninetore the objection naturally larises that the oxygen oi' the llame unites with the heated metal andforms upon its surface an oxide ot' iron, and it has heen alleged thatthe sul-tare oxide prevents aproper weld, inasinueh as said product otcombustion actively attacks the hot metal, However, I do notentertainthe idea that the employment ot' oxy gen gas i'or ordinary weldingpurposes will impede the cl'licient t'nsion of the metals, as the oxidet'ormed is comparatively small, and need not he considered as allobjectionable taetor in the welding;v of metals ot' large cross-scctiollunless the atmosphere should be ilnllireg nated with an unusual amountot' moisture, in which event the oxide so termed might. be found in adegree detrimental, for the reason that the presence ot' moisture isnecessary for the formation ot' the said oxide on the surface ot' themetals. However, to preclude the possibility ol' the products ofcombustion which might arise trom atmospheric moisture trom attackingvhe metal undergoing the welding,Y process, any suitable snbstnncesnchas carbmrdust, silicate ol' soda, or solution ot sill cil-may 'neincorporated with the oxygen gas or administered together with thesallle,\\llel'e by the products of combustion are rendered entirelyharmless.

Alter the weld or union has been formed hetween two pieces ot stoel orother hardened metal, it 'will 'ne obvious that the same will he lett inan annealed orsottencd state, and theret'ore ill be compz'lratirelyillcapahleot'strengt h or durability. Furlhermorlgil'tllet'ullstrengthand heating` ell'ects ot' the electric currents and oxygen gas should hesuddenly applied to the ends of steel rails they would immediatelyassume a molten state; but such sudden application would destroy thetempering properties ot' the rails hoyond snhsequent restoration orredemption. flonsequently, ill order to Weld together hardened ortempered metals by my process, the heating` effect et both agenciesshould he gradually applied, so that thejoint so toi-med may heattern'ard restored to its original hardness and temper by any approvedtlenli'lering process,

In Fig. 3 I have shown a certain arrangement whereby `he welded jointlllay he after- Ward tempered hy means ot' a cold-air hlash ammonia, orany desirable tempering` subA stance. in this ligure, S represents aresen voi r containingv the tempering` fluid or solution underpressureand" designates the lllain snpplyspipe extending parallel andill close proximity to the oxygen-sninilly pipe E. A branch ICL AIO

IZO

W designates a nozzle opening at one extremlty opposite theweldingclampsB (see Fig. l) and communicating at its other end with thetwo-way cock V.

By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the cock or valve V consistsof a central rotatable plug having two egress ports or ori- Vtic-esextending diametrically through thesame and adapted to register inunison with the openings in the pipes Tp andthe nozzle WV. To thecentral plug is attached the handle X for moving thevalve-plug to openand close the egress-ports.

In Figs. 5 and 6 are shown a modied form of a two-way Valve, in whichonly one egress` port is provided. In Fig. 5 a central plug is shown insuch a position as to allow the contents of both pipes T and p to passthrough into the nozzle W, while in Fig. 6 the central plug is so placedas to allow the contents of the pipe p only to pass through the valve,the pipe 'Il being closed by the side ofthe central plug. rIhus it willbe seen that by means of the construction shown in Fig. 3 the How of theoxygen gas and the tempering substance is controlled by asingle valvearranged within easy reach and manipulation of the operator, located atthe welding-clamps. By this arrange ment the joint can be temperedimmediately alter the welding process has been completed before thejoint has had time to become cool.

I do not confine myself to any particular manner of tempering the jointafter Welding, nor to any particular' tempering, hardening, ortoughening substance, as the joint may be treated by numerousprocesses-such as hammering, rolling, dipping, Ste.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The method of effecting union between two metals in contact,consisting in the application of heatingcurrents of electricity totraverse the joint to be welded,and simultaneously subjecting said jointto the action of oxygen gas.

2. The method of welding, consisting in the application ofheating-currents of electricity to the portions of the metals incontact,gradu ally increasing the current strength until the desiredstrength of current traverses the said portions of metal, andsimultaneously subjecting'the joint to the action of oxygen gas.

3. The method of welding,consisting in the application ofheating-currents of electricity to the portions of the metals incontact, assisting the fusion of said portions of metal by subjectingthe same to the action of oxygen gas, and treating said portions ofmetal with a substance for preventing the products of combustion fromattacking the metals simultaneously with the administration of oxygengas.

4. The method of effecting a weld or union between metals incontact,which consists,rst, in the application of currents ofelectricity having a predetermined heating effect to traverse the jointor weld to be formed, and, second,in re-enforcing the heating effect ot'the said electric currents by subjecting the said joint to the action ofoxygen gas.

5. The method ,of welding together two metals of hardened or temperedstructure without destroying their respective retempering properties atthe point of union, which a certain heating effect through the ends ofthe metals in contact, and gradually increasing the current strengthuntil a certain temperature of the metals is obtained, and, second, insubjecting the said ends of the metals in contact to action of oxygengas, and gradually increasing the iiow ot' the said gas until th-emetals are fused and united.

In testimony whereof I affix` my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIAS E. RIES.

Vitnesses:

LEOPOLD RIns, FELIX R. SULLIVAN.

CII

LJI

consists, irst, in passing an electric current of 75

